
Cliffhangers is an American drama series that debuted on February 27, 1979 on NBC. Each hour-long episode was divided into three 20-minute segments : Stop Susan Williams, The Secret Empire and The Curse of Dracula. The show aimed to revive the classic movie serial format but was canceled after just ten episodes due to low ratings. To add to the "in-progress" feeling of the proceedings, all three series were started with different chapter numbers (although this was the first broadcast for all of them): "Stop Susan Williams" began at Chapter II, "The Secret Empire" started with Chapter III, and "The Curse of Dracula" with Chapter VI.
Creator
Status
Ended
Type
Scripted
Seasons
1
Episodes
12
12 episodes

Stephanie Harper is rich but insecure 40 year old heiress with two failed marriages behind her. Stephanie believes that she has found true love with tennis pro Greg Marsden, but after the wedding, Greg promptly begins an affair with Stephanie’s best friend Jilly Stewart. Whilst on their honeymoon, Greg pushes Stephanie into a crocodile-infested swamp, and he and Jilly watch as she is apparently mauled to death. However, Stephanie miraculously survives and goes to an island clinic where she meets Dr. Dan Marshall, a brilliant plastic surgeon who uses his talents to repair her face and body. Using her new identity and fortune, she plots her revenge on Greg and Jilly and aims to take back what is rightfully hers.

Jennifer Selden
The domestic adventures, misdeeds and everyday interactions of five families living on a cul-de-sac in a small California community.